Do you ever get yourself into the same messes over and over again? You don’t like it and you don’t consciously do it on purpose, but somehow you keep finding yourself in the same types of situations? I hate to say this, but I do. (And, I am hoping that I am not the only one. Well, maybe I should rephrase that. I don’t seriously want you to be that way. But, knowing that there are other people out there like me, helps me to feel better. There is something soothing to your soul when you realize that you are not alone, right? I just don’t want to be alone.)

I have always been a hard-headed person. And, sadly, in my case, I think there is a lot of truth to that old saying, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” But, this old dog is finally ready to learn something new.

There are some areas in my life right now that I am unhappy with. And, frankly, I have been unhappy with them for a long time. I have tried various tactics over the years to overcome this unhappiness, and despite my best efforts, I still find myself unhappy. So, I am finally saying, “Enough!” No more. I just can’t do this anymore. My way(s) of doing things is not working.

Obviously, all the things that I have tried, have failed. So, the “new” trick I am going to try is something that I have learned by reading and studying my Bible. The trick I am referring to is this: doing things the way God tells us to. I am going to try doing things God’s way, instead of my way.

When people or things upset us, or make us angry, that is just the devil tormenting us. We can respond to this in one of two ways: by following our human feelings or by exercising our self-control. God wants us to deal with things in a positive way. Romans 12:21 reminds us, “Do not let yourself be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” When we respond in a positive way, that upsets the devil. Plus, when we get and stay upset and/or angry, we are only hurting ourselves more.

One of the best things we can do in situations that cause anger, is to pray for the people who caused it. This is NOT an easy thing to do. These are likely people that you don’t care much for or respect. But, God tells us that we are to love our enemies. Matthew 5:44 tells us, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

As I mentioned before, this is tough for me and why I feel like that “old dog”. I have this horrible habit of holding on to things. I don’t “let things go” even though I know I should. I know it isn’t healthy for me. I know it is bad. Yet, I do it anyway.

I also know that I am the only person who can change my behavior. No one else can make me feel or do or say anything that I don’t want to. It is all on me. Even the fact that I let certain people get under my skin. It is me who allows that. I KNOW this. I KNOW this. And, unfortunately, the devil knows this too. And, I stupidly fall into his trap time and time again.

And, I just can’t take it anymore. I really can’t.

That is why I am taking to heart being a new person in Christ. That is why I am looking at others through the eyes of Christ and praying for them. That is why I am turning over my anger and the people who cause it to God and letting Him deal with them. That is why I am trusting God to take care of these things for me. Because it is obvious I can’t do it myself. Plus, Romans 12:19 cautions, “Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, ‘I will take revenge; I will pay them back,’ says the Lord.”

The only way I can get out of these situations that I always seem to find myself in, is to be determined to do the right things that God calls us to do. I am committed to doing things God’s way. I know that if I do things His way, I will eventually see good results. ​I will end this post by saying that I know we all want to be happy and content in this life. And, I truly believe that if we are completely devoted to following God’s will for us, we will all find that happiness and joy that we seek. John 10:10 reminds us, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”